curtisj

Dr. Stacy is indeed making the tough calls, just as he did at UTC, where he was also controlled by the money people. He axed a lot of good athletic folks during his time at UTC. Hate to say this, but if you compare the attendance and community support at Moc football and basketball pre-Stacy and post-Stacy....it isn't pretty. Not saying that will happen at Baylor, but it is something to think about. Frankly, if the reaction of Chattanooga's usually Baylor-worshipping media is any yardstick, you've got problems on the Baylor campus.

Enjoy it. To each his own. It's just too bad that Dr. Stacy won't directly answer the questions and concerns that are being posed from students and parents. He reminds me of the governor from "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." He's really good at doing "the sidestep." And it's a shame, really that the handful of trustees who truly pull the strings have thus far been left out of the media and public eye. I could name names, but this thread would be yanked in a heartbeat.

Red Bank should have 4 seniors next year, but just 1 or 2 in the everyday lineup. Beau Geren will be a senior catcher and Tyler Henry will be maybe a DH when he's not pitching. Siltz and Allen will be 2 senior pitchers. Unless somebody transfers like John Coppinger did last year, that's probably it for seniors.

It was a great year for the Owls. I really thought they would make it to the region finals, at least. Too bad they didn't have their whole team at the end. Maybe next year, everyone will behave and they will go all the way.

Y'all can argue this from now until Monday, but that's in the past. And looking to the future, Red Bank is in good position to do what Soddy did last year. Sneak up on the district champs and head west. Don't say it can't be done. Red Bank is on a mission!

Good grief. Now for the real Best of Preps list. I realize some of y'all like to pat each other's back, name your friends, brothers or yourselves, and go by the inflated stats that some teams phone in...but I go by what I've seen, and how much difference a player makes to a winning team. My criteria is, how would a certain team fare without this player? In some cases, they don't miss a beat, but in other cases, one player makes a huge difference. I also include quality of opponents, attitude, leadership and behavior. Here goes...and I'm keeping it in Hamilton County, because those are the games I have seen the most. Pitchers: Coty Green and Ryne Simpson of Baylor Charles Williams of McCallie Brandon Siltz of Red Bank Nic Robinson and Justin Higdon of Ooltewah Positions: Myles Ervin of Notre Dame...amazing shortstop, good bat Bret Smalley & Josh Green of Hixson...lively bats Nathan Long of CCS...major league potential Ryan Jones, Zach Woods & Blake McDade of Ooltewah... all-around players Michael Brown of Baylor...team leader Beau Geren of Red Bank...RBI man and best catcher and Player of the Year: Reece Cofer of Red Bank....yes, Ooltewah had their number, but against everybody else, Red Bank is 22-6, and Cofer is directly responsible for many of those wins. For a team with only three seniors and low expectations, they're still alive. They've beaten most of the teams in the area, and Cofer is usually the rally-starter and playmaker. Lots of guys came close, but you can't pick everybody. We all have our opinions, and I don't expect everyone to agree. But I think this would be an amazing team!

Cofer had his usual multi-hit, MVP night, but didn't get much help. I wasn't there, but a dad told me that RB threw all freshmen, and didn't play solid starters like Geren and Henry in the lineup. I guess they conceded the district championship, and hope to start fresh in the region, where as Soddy proved last year, ANYTHING can happen! According to the paper, the Owls only got 9 hits off the RB 9th graders. I'm sure they miss their suspended and injured players. We'll see how this affects them in region.

Yeah, I'd say Red Bank is capable of winning. Since they eliminated Soddy, which wore out Ooltewah TWICE. Not sure what "category" you're talking about putting Cofer in, but as he has proven the past two nights, if you put him in a close game he WILL make the difference. Now it's Ooltewah's turn to learn that.

Looks like Red Bank has Ooltewah right where they want them: overconfident, again. Plus, from what I read, the Owls are missing two players. Red Bank is 100 percent, and Cofer hasn't made an out in a loooong time. The time is right for an upset. Freshman pitchers got the last two wins, ending the seasons for Soddy and Central. The aces of pitching and hitting are ready for RB.....I look for them to catch the Owls sleeping, just like their last two wins.

RB has struggled with some of Ooltewah's good pitchers, no question about that. Central doesn't have anyone who can measure up. RB wore them out during the regular season, and will again today.

Wise move Grad. On another thread you picked Red Bank. So you're sure to be right either way! I'll only make one prediction right here: Red Bank wins big. The first inning ought to do it.

What time is Red Bank-Central? I've read 4:30 in one place, 7:00 in another?

No way. No time. No how. Not in a million years. This one will be over in the first inning.

Whatever. You brought it up.

Must have missed that. Not sure what you're talking about. Fans? Coaches?

In a close game, one player CAN make a huge difference, and he's that type of player.

Explanation? No problem. Ooltewah outplayed 'em, pure and simple. Red Bank hit the ball hard the first couple of innings, got some hits, Cofer missed a home run by inches, driving in the only run, but they missed some chances to blow it open. Then there were a couple of outfield blunders, and two errors by the second baseman (on the same play) put it out of reach. Ooltewah got some timely hits and good pitching by Nic. But it aint over yet. Who can be sure which Soddy team will show up on Monday? If they're playing in their sleep again, they don't have a chance. If they bring their 'A' game, nobody can beat them. But with Cofer's leadership, I can't see Red Bank going 2 and out. I don't think Coach Reece has ever gone out of district that quickly, and I don't think he will this year. And the Owls shouldn't get too cocky. Central surprised me and everybody else on Saturday. Ooltewah better come out hitting, or they could be the next upset victim, like they were last year.

I agree. That's a pretty good poll, with Red Bank ranked 4th, I think.. Much unlike the bizarro poll on another website, in which they're not in the top 10. Oh well, the attack begins this weekend!

Central sure would be a good place to put a high school. Maybe they could teech the lokel kids to reed and rite.

I think this has been covered on another thread, but anyway....obviously Central will clobber Brainerd. Then on Saturday, history will repeat itself as Red Bank, which has improved after winning last year's tournament, will beat Ooltewah. Soddy will beat Central. Then on Monday, or whenever the next games are played, Ooltewah will eliminate Central. That leaves us with 3 teams. If the bracket goes as I think it will, Red Bank will then beat Soddy. That would leave Soddy and Ooltewah with one loss each...and Soddy should win their elimination game. Then Soddy would have to beat Red Bank twice, and that is not going to happen. Red Bank's hitting and pitching depth are too much for the Trojans, who have not shown much consistency this year. Lions win!

Just remember. You can't hit it if you can't see it!

I have to admit I thought the same thing when I read the beginning of this thread. Everybody has downplayed Red Bank all year. But just like last year, they are peaking at the right time. Ooltewah has been up and down lately, Soddy is inconsistent, and Central can come up with a good game now and then. But with Henry and Silts on the mound, and that unstoppable lineup with Cofer, Fabry, and Miller leading the way, and I think the Lions are the favorite. If I had to predict right now, I look for Soddy to beat Central in the first game, Red Bank to beat Ooltewah in their first game, and then Ooltewah will knock out Central. From there, it will get interesting, but Red Bank should be the last team standing.

I gotta pick Soddy. Red Bank scorched McCallie last night.